The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-24
DEATH OF COL. J. A. CLOSER.
He Dies Unexpectedly After Brief Illness
The Board Of Trades Tribute.

Col Joseph A. Closer. for the last fifteen
years closely identified with the grain business
of the city. died at his residence, No 500 North
Delaware street, yesterday morning at o'clock
Colonel Closer was a sufferer from interval
hemorrhoids, and on Thursday last submitted
to operation by Drs Cook and Newcomer
| which was successfully accomplished, but
complication of congestion of the lungs or kim
dred disorder confined him to his bed, and from
the effects of this his death resulted. His con-
valescence had been assured, and the fatal turn
was wholly unexpected, although Dr. Newcomer
anticipated crisis yesterday. The fact that
his condition was rapidly growing worse and
that his death was only question of few
hours, when made known to his family and the
friends at his bedside, fell upon them with crush
ing effect. The deceased retained his con-
seriousness until few moments before his death
Colonel Closer was born in LaPorte. Ind
and was the son of Nicholas w. Closer, who
coming from the East, settled this State He
was forty three years of age, and came to this
| city for permanent residence fifteen years ago.
| soon after entering a partnership with NJ. A.
| Woollen, George W. Johnston and e. j. Colgan
| in the grain business, under the firm name Of j
| A. Closer & CO. He was vice president of the
| Board of Trade, Of which he had long been a
member and was also commissioned by the Gov
| ernor as colonel of the First regiment of light
artillery. He was q soldier in the civil war; and
| was, for a number of years, a mem
| Der of the George H. Thomas
post, G. A. R. During his residence
in this city he was identified with many public
| enterprises, and was particularly prominent in
! the charitable work three years ago in behalf Of
the Ohio river food sufferers He was a mem
Der of the First Baptist Church, and was also
| for some years the assistant Sunday-school SUI
vs~kN IT, &c., 1vr.il IN
afternoon. and the services will be conducted by
| DIR. Jeffrey 1t is expected that the G. A. R.
will be present at the funeral and interment
The deceased owned the property in which he
| lived, and he leaves his family well provided for
| owning real estate both in Terre Haute and Chi
cago, and also carrying heavy life insurance in
eastern companies.
The Board of Trade dispensed with its call
yesterday when the announcement of Colonel
C.ossers death was made, and committee,
consisting of Mr.. John H. Holiday, Judge f. b.
| Martindale and Gen. r. S. Foster were an
pointed to draft resolutions.
| After speaking Of his prominence in the affairs
Of the Board of Trade, OF which he was vicepresi-
dent and one of the governors for years the res
olutons pay to him the following tribute:
He was positive in temperament fixed in his con.
| victons and answering in their support no matter
Whist the opposition, but he always fair manly
| and honorable in advocating his beliefs He IVES
publc-spirited to q marked degree and always
ready give his best help to anything that promised
advance the interests of the city and State In his
! business relations he was lust and honorable Ua
| was and true friend, who never BETRAYED
! confidence whom dependence was placed in
vain His activity not confined to the sphere of
business, but in every relation of life as citizen
member of the church. the earnestness and zeal
| was shown. Cut off in the early prime of manhood
his loss feel will be farreaching and is deepy to be
! regretted To his stricken widow aud children we
give warrnest sympathy, and, fitting mark Of
| respect that the board adj ourn without
| the transaction of business.
Remarks of a eulogistic character were also
made by Judge Martindale, and. on motion OF
| w. D. Cooper. the arrangements for the funeral
were left to be made by the standing committee
on arrangements of which Colonel Closer was
chairman at the time of his death.